New Resort Proposed For Sharon Springs

By Chris English

SHARON SPRINGS _ The Sharon Springs Joint Planning Board is considering a new resort on a 50-acre parcel at Main Street and Beechwood Road in the Village of Sharon Springs.

The JPB went over elements of the plan — mainly related to the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) requirements — at its Wednesday, July 16 meeting. Only two members of the board were present so the meeting was for presentation and informational purposes only and not to make any decisions.

The SSJPB — the lead agency for the proposal — will eventually consider signing off on a SEQR, hold a public hearing on the matter and consider approval.

According to a memo from Mary Beth Bianconi of Delaware Engineering, who is consulting with and advising the JPB on the proposal, Hoshino Resorts is proposing a Japanese hot spring inn for the site. The project, which will be open to resort guests and staff only, includes a shop, library, lounge, bar, multifunction space, all-day dining area, fine-dining restaurant, a spa including meditation baths and room for individual spa treatments.

The Bianconi memo continues that the facility will also include 30 guest room units, each with its own outdoor heated mineral water bath. Back of house operations will include staff housing, offices, laundry, storage, mechanical and maintenance facilities and other staff support facilities.

Also proposed are passive recreation trails and open space area, as well as infrastructure both on and off site to support the proposed project including but not limited to water, sewer, stormwater, transportation, lighting and landscaping.

At the July 16 meeting, a representative for Hoshino Resorts went over a long checklist of SEQR items and made comments indicating he did not think the project would have significant negative impacts in terms of traffic, air quality and several other items.

Bianconi attended the meeting and had several suggestions for the developer on things the JPB needs more information or clarification on. They included information on how the water will be heated and how microbiologicals will be protected against.

"Will this be in harmony with things around it?," said Bianconi, noting one question the planning board needs to answer for itself. "You want to make sure whatever is done here does not have a big impact."

 

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National Moth Week and Why It Matters

By Heather Skinner

SCHOHARIE - Did you know July 19 – 27 has been known as National Moth Week since 2012? 

Many may be familiar with moth caterpillars of the Isabella Tiger Moth, which are commonly referred to as Woolly Bears. Many enjoy predicting how harsh or mild an upcoming winter will be based on their coloration; more orange indicating mild, more black indicating snowier.

Moths play an important role in our ecosystem. When you think pollinators, bees and butterflies may be first to spring to your mind. According to a DarkSky International post shared on Facebook by local author, Anita Sanchez, moths are the largest group of night pollinators carrying on that important work while we sleep.

What can we do to help moths in return for doing so much for us? The good news is there seems to be a pattern of the same response to this question, meaning what will help moths, will also help many other insects, animals, and plants in the process! Sanchez explained, “The best thing people can do for moths, I think, is to not use pesticides. Spraying ants or wasps, treating lawns with pesticides, getting rid of weeds with Round-Up, all could potentially harm moths, butterflies and other insects.. Another really important thing is to turn off outside lights. Moths need darkness to go about their business, and lights disorient and confuse them.”

Regarding lights, DarkSky mentioned in a YouTube video that switching to amber lights from bright, white lights can help prevent misguiding moths to circle them until exhausted instead of pollinating.

Sanchez has graciously shared an excerpt with us from the fantastic book by Sanchez and her husband, George Steele; Wait Till It Gets Dark: A Kid's Guide to Exploring the Night. More information about this book can be found at www.AnitaSanchez.com and it is available through Amazon:

“Darkness is in danger!

Humans have done such a thorough job of lighting up the night that real darkness has become hard to find. We tend to think of light as “good” and darkness as “bad,” but too much light can destroy the beauty and mystery of the nighttime. Without darkness we can’t see the Milky Way, or wish on a falling star. We need night so we can listen to katydids and coyotes, watch bats and moths swoop and dart, and enjoy firefly fireworks.

Wildlife need the night, too. “Light pollution” can harm animals as much as toxic chemicals do. Countless species need natural cycles of light and dark to migrate, hunt for food, and find mates. Even plants depend on light cues for growing and making seeds. When we light up the night, we lose the natural rhythm of light and dark.

Save the Dark

A light bulb is not always a bright idea! Much of the artificial lighting that humans use is wasted in uselessly lighting up the sky. Take a look at the outdoor lighting in your yard and neighborhood. Is there a way it could be more dark-sky friendly?

--Could your family use dimmer switches, timers, or motion sensors to cut down on outdoor lighting?

--Turn off lights, especially outdoor lights, when not in use (a great way to save energy and money, too.)

--For information on dark-sky friendly lighting, see the website of the International Dark-Sky Association: http://darksky.org/lighting/lighting-basics/

Find the Dark

Where can you go to explore nature at night? Your own backyard is the first place to start. Are there parks or playgrounds in your neighborhood that you can safely visit at night?

Then check out your local nature center or community park—do they offer night programs like owl prowls or night-time nature walks? A bird club might have guided walks to seek out nocturnal birds like woodcock, whip-poor-wills, and owls.

Also, look for local astronomy clubs—many organizations of astronomers hold “star parties” and welcome amateur star-gazers. They know where the darkest places are!

The International Dark Sky Foundation is an organization that works to protect nature’s darkness. They designate places, including state and national parks, as Dark Sky Preserves.  Find out if there’s one near you at http://darksky.org.”

To continue learning about the natural world with Sanchez and Steele, many more of their books can be found on Amazon. In addition, Steele works at Landis Arboretum, which is located at 174 Lape Rd, Esperance, NY. Steele will be conducting a Discovery Tuesday Pond Exploration at 10 AM on July 29th at the Schoharie Library (located at 103 Knower Ave), and a weeklong exploration of art and nature through programs at the Cobleskill Community Library (located at 110 Union Street) starting on August 5th at 2 PM. Sanchez will be hosting a Geology Rocks! workshop for kids in grades K-5 at the Middleburgh Library (located at 323 Main Street) on August 7th at 1 PM (registration is required through the Middleburgh Library’s website event calendar for this event).

 

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Lifeguard Shortage To Likely Force Early Closure Of Richmondville Pool

By Chris English

RICHMONDVILLE — Unless more lifeguarding help can be found, the Village of Richmondville Swimming Pool will be closing for the season Aug. 10, about three weeks earlier than originally planned.

New Village Clerk-Treasurer Jenifer Fisher gave notice of the likely early closure at the Monday, July 21 Board of Trustees meeting and in comments made afterward.

Fisher said the Aug. 10 closing is not 100 percent certain and she is trying to find help but that, as of now, that's the way it will be. The pool normally stays open through the end of August.

Fisher, Village Mayor Carl Warner Jr. and the Trustees said trouble finding lifeguards is not unique to Richmondville but a problem at pools across the region. One of the disincentives to being a lifeguard is the approximate total of $400 it takes to get certified as a lifeguard every other year and be certified in CPR and First Aid every year, Richmondville board members said.

While Village Pool lifeguards are eventually reimbursed for those costs, it would be helpful if they didn't have that initial outlay, Trustee Robert Hyatt suggested. Warner added that maybe lifeguard jobs could be more aggressively promoted in Cobleskill-Richmondville schools. Trustee Lisabeth Kabel said it might be helpful to post information on and promote lifeguard jobs on Facebook.

Fisher said there are six lifeguards at the Richmondville Pool, two of whom also work at a pool in Otsego County and another who also works another job. The pool is normally open 1-7 p.m. every day but Fisher said the lifeguard situation has forced it to close on a handful of days this summer. Adding to lifeguard staffing challenges is the fact that many are college students who have to leave early to get back to their schools.

Richmondville Pool lifeguards earn $16 an hour, 50 cents more than the state's minimum wage.

In other actions from the July 21 meeting, Warner appointed Fisher as the new clerk-treasurer, succeeding Hope Bayes, who resigned last month after about five years on the job. Fisher's appointment was then approved by the full board.

She had been Deputy Clerk for the last three years and will serve as clerk-treasurer until December by virtue of Monday's appointment but must be reappointed in January to keep the job.

Warner and Richmondville Power & Light Director Tim Smith went over a list of bullet points supporting a rate case before the state Public Service Commission for a possible hike in RPL rates, something that has not happened in many years.

Among the bullet points and reasons for a hike are the costs of new equipment needed and the need to keep wages reasonably competitive with utilities across the state, among other reasons.

There was a discussion on revamping the quarterly village newsletter that is mailed to all RPL customers and is also available at the municipal building on Main Street. Kabel said the newsletter tends to be overly repetitive and among her suggestions was putting in more information on rules and policies that people moving into the area might not know and should be aware of. Kabel said she would be willing to work with Fisher and others on possible revisions.

Trustee Milan Jackson agreed to be part of a committee that will review several applications for a cleaning position in the village and help the board come to a decision on the best person for the job.

"These are all people in the village, so the job will help someone local," Warner said.

The board also voted to extend for a week a successful village arts and crafts program.

At the end of the meeting, the board voted to acknowledge receipt of a $78,995 bid from Air Cleaning Systems for a new exhaust system for the Richmondville Firehouse. It will be funded with a grant the village received.

The board will vote on actually accepting the bid after Fire Department officials check to see if it meets all guidelines and specifications.

 

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Graduate Has a Leg up on his Future; he Designed and Manufactured his Own Pants

ALBANY/COBLESKILL – A Cobleskill-Richmondville graduate with an eye on a fashionable future got a leg up on his plans during his final project at Capital Region BOCES.

Global Fashion program Class of 2025 graduate Bill Bittner designed, manufactured and wore a pair of pants to school as part of a final project in the program at the Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Campus.

“It feels great. It’s something I have always wanted to do,” said Bittner.

Bittner graduated from the two-year Global Fashion program on June 12 and will attend Herkimer College in the fall in pursuit of a degree in fashion merchandising.

Thanks to attending BOCES, he has already earned some college credits and is looking forward to his future.

“I think I know more than the average person starting college for fashion,” he said. “I have learned the business side of fashion, and I have learned how to sew, make patterns, how to operate a sewing machine and draw a croquet,” he said. 

Students in the two-year Global Fashion program at Capital Region BOCES study creative design and core business concepts and apply them to the world of fashion. They also learn about careers in fashion, merchandising, marketing, fashion drawing, textiles, how to use a sewing machine, foundation pattern making and sewing skills while taking part in work-based learning opportunities at area shopping malls to learn visual display and merchandising.

Bittner said the idea behind the pants he now wears was to develop a “baggy” style.

“I have always liked the look, and I like how they fit,” he said.

Asked what he would tell a student considering the Global Fashion program, Bittner was succinct.

“Do it. My class is a lot of fun, and I would definitely recommend this class to future kids trying to get into fashion,” he said.

For more on the Global Fashion program, go to https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/global-fashion-studies/

 

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Friends of The Community Library Annual Basket Raffle Sept. 20

COBLESKILL — The Friends of The Community Library in Cobleskill are gearing up for their biggest fundraiser of the year. Their annual basket raffle and used book sale provide funds to support many popular programs offered by The Community Library. Any individual, group, or business can join the fundraising effort by donating a basket of goodies and gifts to be raffled off on the big day. Contributors’ names will appear on their baskets.

Each donation will be based on a theme of the giver’s choice, needs to include at least one book, must be valued at a minimum of $50, and can be intended for children, families, or adults.

If the donor has no basket or other gift container, The Friends will be happy to provide an appropriate basket, organize the gifts, and wrap the whole basket. 

Please deliver the donated baskets/items to The Community Library by August 23. There the baskets will be displayed and raffle tickets will be sold from Tuesday, September 2 through Saturday, September 20. The day of the raffle ticket drawing is also the day of The Friends’ annual used book sale.

Anyone interested in contributing a  basket for the raffle is invited to pick up the “Basket Donation Form” during regular hours at The Community Library. Related questions can be directed to friendsofthecommunitylibrary@gmail.com or to (518) 365-6371.

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Fair Youth Dept. Auction Seeking Ag-Related Donations

By Matthew Avitabile

COBLESKILL — The Schoharie County Sunshine Fair Youth Department Auction is to support awards and trophies for the Youth Department for animal and non-animal exhibits. Youth will receive awards for their exhibits showcasing local youth.

The goal for the program is $10,000. The hope is that local businesses and farms will assist in the endeavor. Next year for the 150th anniversary there is hope that there will be a major series of awards and honors. It also coincides with the nation’s 250th anniversary. It will be a major milestone for the organization.

We spoke to Director of Livestock, Youth, and Dogs for the Sunshine Fair Lois Goblet.

The group is looking for donations of ag-related items or cash. The items need to be delivered to the Fair Office by Aug. 8. Current donors include Agway, Farmhouse Floral Design, Carrot Barn, Apple Barrel, the Mountain Eagle, and Hessian Hill Farm. 

Products could be anything related to agriculture or farming, including vegetables, dog food, produce, feed, toy farm machinery, nursery-related products, homemade canned goods, or more. 

Children will often donate and have it purchased by visitors.

Goblet asked for texts at 518-365-4085.

 

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Esperance Village, Town Resolve Bill Reimbursement - Highway Superintendent Thanks Fred’s Sanitation

By Heather Skinner

ESPERANCE- July 17th’s Town Board meeting included a Public Hearing. Among those in attendance were Village Mayor Royce Gage and Director of Planning & Community Development Services in Schoharie County, Shane Nickle. 

In a continued snow removal billing discussion from last month’s meeting, Town Supervisor Earl Van Wormer III expanded on the budget adjustment, “When this was all set up for snow removal, the County would not deal with the Town and the Village independently… So, the way they handled it was to have the Town cover both the Town and Village and they would bill the Town. The Town would pay for it through our Highway Townwide Fund, which means the Village taxpayers also pay in for the snow removal.” 

A new county clerk employee mistakenly billed the Village instead of the Town. Van Wormer and Gage agreed that the Village will create a voucher showing months and amounts so the Town can approve bill reimbursement next month.

Highway Superintendent Michelle Brust confirmed the Town now has the snow removal bill for February, which included a big storm. Brust also updated all approved road repairs from the June 7th storm are complete, and because of those repairs they will be cutting back on roads that were due to be chipsealed for this year, except for Tater Barn and Lape Road (cold mix paving is scheduled for August 7th). Roads like Regan, Brust found during inspections to have trees and shrubbery growing that will need to be addressed within the next couple years.

Brust wanted to publicly thank Fred’s Sanitation saying, “They went to a lot of trouble to make sure that the Transfer Site wasn’t damaged as they were bringing garbage in and out. They did a really good job.”

Brust recently attended a Zoning Board seminar that provided information about comprehensive planning and was interested in being added to the volunteer list for the Comprehensive Plan Committee. Van Wormer explained that every town is supposed to have a comprehensive plan to base zoning regulations on, and he will choose 5-7 diverse volunteers. They’re still hoping to see someone volunteer to represent the Village of Esperance. To be added to the Committee volunteer list, no prior Town meeting involvement is required; call the Town Hall at 518-875-6109, or message Van Wormer at supervisor@esperancetown-ny.gov.

Brust and Van Wormer have identified a spot at the Transfer Site where Midtel can put a small building of equipment for their County-wide fiber optic network and the motion to do so through an Easement was carried. In exchange for housing equipment, the Town Hall, Transfer Site, Water District & Sewer District buildings will get free online services.

Another Easement discussed was part of a follow-up on Bray Road. Van Wormer recapped that recent flooding wiped out a deteriorating culvert that isn’t on Town property but needs replacing to prevent road damage. Van Wormer said the Easement will work like a reverse mortgage that allows the work to be done. It was signed by the resident, notarized, and filed with the County.

While the Assessor Report field work data collection shows as completed, many have been reporting instances of photos still being taken of sheds, houses, etc. by a representative. Van Wormer revealed they stopped at his house as well and said they were verifying the information they had. If anyone has questions about ongoing assessor data collection at your residence, Town Clerk, Jessica Castle, said to contact the Assessor’s Office at 300 Main Street in Schoharie (518-295-657).

The CDBG grant application Public Hearing officially opened during the meeting with the invitation for citizen participation comments. There were none, and Van Wormer explained, “The purpose of this is to do additional work to the Water District in Central Bridge.” Adding, “The total application is for $800,000. It is a pure grant. The engineers did the work on this at no cost to the District to allow us to get this application in and if we get it, we get $800,000 in grant money to benefit the residents in the Water District of Central Bridge.”

Van Wormer detailed that $400,000 would be for the DEC required status report study of the dam at the reservoir, and some repairs they anticipate it will need, and the other $400,000 they are hoping would cover adding about 12-13 people’s homes on Pleasantview Drive and River Street in Central Bridge to Water District Service.

Van Wormer reminded there is no guarantee they will get this grant saying, “We’re taking the best shot we can at it because, again, I’d like to help as many people in Central Bridge.” Nickles agreed and said it’s low-moderate income dependent (which census data shows the District falls under) and very competitive.

Van Wormer said, “Before we take a vote on this, I just wanna say that we were having difficulties finishing the project in Central Bridge and I didn’t have another solution for helping the people in Central Bridge getting funding, so I went to Shane.” Van Wormer stated that Shane replied he would be glad to look at it and came up with 4 potential funding sources.

Esperance Town Board meetings include a chance to view the Correspondence Folder (this month it included announcements from the SCCA Newsletter, The Gathering Place, MEVDD, and Charter Communications), and both Village & Town meetings offer the opportunity to share thoughts, concerns, and questions during Privilege of the Floor.

Esperance Town Board Meetings are every 3rd Thursday of the month; 7:00 PM at the Town Hall, located at 104 Charleston Street. On the agenda next meeting (August 21st) the Assessor Report continuation will include raising the maximum income amount for the Senior Citizens exemption from $25,650 to $26,500 for the 2026 tax roll. RV and Camping Regulations will be discussed during the September meeting and Assessor Erin Smith is up for reappointment in September.

Esperance Village Meetings are every 2nd Monday at the Village Hall at 7:00 PM.

 

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Infrastructure Upgrades for Doc Reilly Park

By Elizabeth Barr

COBLESKILL — The Town of Cobleskill accompanied by Lamont Engineering is in the process of applying for a grant through New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) under Title 9 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1993 for the purpose of funding the development of the Doc Reilly Park Project.  The Town is applying for a grant fund not to exceed $500,000 for maintenance and improvement of existing facilities project and designated itself as lead agency for the Project. The Resolution was approved unanimously by the Town Board at its Special Town Board meeting of July 21.

Improvements to the park may include electric, water and sewer, a community center and bath house. Improvements to existing ball parks and other items that are on the master plan were also discussed. 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has many new grant programs available to fund and improve parks and recreation sites.  

 

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Coming School Year is ‘in the Bag’ for Rising Seniors at Capital Region BOCES

SCHOHARIE — Rising seniors Macord Stevens and Natalie Strohm prepare individual tool bags for students who will be entering the Building Trades program at Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center  Schoharie Campus.

The students assisted teacher Matt Hitchcock in preparing the bags during the final days of classes of the 2024-25 school year.

There are about 100 students enrolled in the Building Trades program on the Schoharie and Albany campuses.

Students in the two-year program learn through standardized craft training programs developed by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and gain valuable experience through on- and off-campus projects. They learn about safety, green construction and reading blueprints along with receiving extensive training in home energy efficiency.

 

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More at Bison Month Celebration

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — Bison Island Ranch is celebrating Bison Month this weekend on Saturday, July 26th from 12:00 - 8:00 PM. The first event was on July 12th and despite the rain, plenty came out to celebrate. The rain cleared just before the band went on and the sunset was gorgeous! 

Expect live music again with the fun and lively “New Venture” band as well as local beer and wine for purchase too! New Venture is a band of local friends that will play ‘old country’, rock and roll hits, and more! They play from 6:00-8:00 PM so bring your dancing shoes!

This will be a fun family friendly event with no charge that also features a craft for the kids, activities, games, photo ops, The Tipi for exploring, and so much more! There will also be a ‘free to enter raffle’ with the prize being announced at the event! Come out and enjoy the beautiful property!

The Ranch Store will be open and fully stocked with items for sale like bison ground & bison steaks, bison art & gifts, all the NEW bison tallow skin care products, and so much more! As a special for this event only, spend $50 and receive $5 of bison bucks!

Chat with the knowledgeable owner “Susie Bison” to learn more about bison and their important role in the ecosystem, check out all the educational materials too. There is also the bison observation station to view the bison in their natural ecosystem making this a fantastic learning opportunity for adults and children alike.

Come on out for the final Bison Month Celebration this Saturday, July 26th from 12:00 until 8:00 PM at Bison Island Ranch is located at 194 Engleville Rd, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. Please visit www.bisonislandranch.com or Facebook and Instagram @bisonislandranch for more information.

 

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Auto Racing News

By Tom Coughlin

Tonight at Dodge City Speedway is a money race for the Senior Clone Heavy division on NAPA Night. Next Friday is a money race for the Senior Wing Champ division on Frank's Heavy Duty Truck Repair Night. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and racing begins around 7:00 p.m.

The annual Madison County Fair in Brookfield is open this week. Tonight, there are gas & diesel truck pulls at 7:00 p.m., Saturday has a demolition derby at 6:00 p.m., and Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. is the tractor pulls.

Utica-Rome Speedway will have Kids Night presented by the Friendly Family of Dealerships and Slade Automotive. Activities for the kids include bounce houses, a backpack giveaway, balloon animals, and more at the "Home of Heroes."

Local Hall of Fame race car driver, author, and Schoharie native Bob Vedder will be on site tomorrow for a book signing of his first published piece of work, "Thoughts to Live By," at the Schoharie Mercantile at 303 Main Street in Schoharie from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

On Saturday, Pangman Outdoor Power will hold its inaugural Garage Sale at their store located at 848 East Main Street in Cobleskill, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. A little bit of everything accumulated over ten years of sales and service will be available, along with raffles, food, and more.

The Sherman’s Park Car Show will take place Saturday, July 26, at 114 East Shore Road, West Caroga Lake, N.Y., from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on the shores of Caroga Lake. If needed, a rain date of Sunday, July 27, will be used. Also happening is a town-wide garage sale.

At Fonda Speedway, the Kids Club will host Christmas in July. The pro stock division will be in the spotlight this week as they compete in their biggest events of the season at the "Track of Champions" during the annual Hondo Classic and the BOBCO Dash. The weekly Amsterdam Truck Center modified division will be off, with the 358-modifieds in their place.

Weedsport Speedway will race Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Saturday is the Super DIRTcar Series-Hall of Fame 100 for the big block modified division. Also on the program are the winged CRSA 305 sprints and street stocks. Sunday, the winged sprint cars of the NOS Energy Drink-World of Outlaws Series make their only New York appearance for the 30-lap Empire State Challenge 2025, joined by the modified division in a 40-lap feature.

Results from last week include Albany-Saratoga Speedway, where in the Next Generation Roofing DIRTcar modified division 35-lap feature, Matt Delorenzo continued his winning ways, followed by Jack Lehner and Kolby Schroder. The Empire Super Sprints 25-lap feature saw Jordan Poirier take the win ahead of Paulie Colagiovanni and Dylan Swiernik. In the Doug Wholey's Excavating DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature, Mike Benson scored the victory over Nick Brundige and Chris Jakubiak. In the Saratoga Masonry Supply DIRTcar pro stock division 25-lap feature, Rich Crane earned the win over Jason Casey and Pete Stefanski. The Haun Welding limited sportsman division 20-lap feature was won by Bodie Marks over Lucas Duncan and Dan Seguin. In the Cornell’s Auto Parts street stock division 20-lap feature, P.J. Cram Jr. claimed the win ahead of Josh Hemming and Chris Murray.

Utica-Rome Speedway was off last week but bounces back tonight with a full program of weekly divisions.

Out west at the Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, the 30-lap modified division feature was won by Mike Maresca, and Bobby Varin finished fifth. Bobby Hackel IV finished second in the 35-lap modified division feature at Accord Speedway, and Alissa Cody finished 20th. The Super Late Models were at Freedom Motorsports Park in Delevan, N.Y., where Tim McCreadie picked up the win in the Pete Loretto Memorial feature. A.J. Miller of Fultonville finished 11th, and Demetrios Drellos finished 13th.

Saturday night at Fonda Speedway, in the Amsterdam Truck Center modified division 30-lap feature, Jack Lehner of Saratoga Springs, driving the Bloomfield's Florist number 85, would earn his first win of 2025 and the fourth of his career at the "Track of Champions." He was able to hold off a great effort from Jessica Friesen and Bobby Hackel IV. In the Empire Super Sprint 25-lap feature, Danny Varin defended his home turf over Dylan Swiernik and Jordan Poirier. In the rain-delayed Swagger Factory Apparel crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature, Josh Coonradt claimed the win. In the regularly scheduled Swagger Factory Apparel crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature, Chip Constantino took the win. In the Leatherstocking Credit Union pro stock division 20-lap feature, it was down to the wire with a photo finish that saw 'Cousin' Luke Horning beat Kenny Gates and Nick Stone. The final tally showed Horning, Stone, and Jim Normoyle completing the top three, as Gates was unfortunately disqualified due to being light at the scales in post-race inspection. In the Montgomery County Office for Aging limited sportsman division 15-lap feature, Jim Mallia earned the win. In the Fonda Fair 4-cylinder division 12-lap feature, the single cam division winner was Kenny Hollenbeck, and in the dual cam division, Jay Ingersoll scored the win.

Be sure to stop in and check out the Fonda Speedway Museum and Hall of Fame. The exhibits are endless and provide a historical and educational perspective of so much that has taken place over nearly a century of time.

On Sunday at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, Lance Willix won the DIRTcar 358-modified division 35-lap feature. In the DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature, Zach Buff took the win. The Yurkewecz Auto Crushers DIRTcar pro stock division 20-lap feature saw "Cousin" Luke Horning earn his second win of the weekend. The SCDRA 4-cylinder Hillman Memorial 30-lap feature was won by Jon Shepard. In the DIRTcar mini stock division 20-lap feature, Jordan Ryder won the dual cam division and William Liberatore won the single cam division. The All-Star slingshot division 15-lap feature was won by Justin House, and Preston Trautschold won the 12-lap Junior slingshot division feature.

The Short Track Super Series kicked off night number one of their LumberJack Swing on Tuesday night at the half-mile clay oval Autodrome Granby in Quebec, Canada. Matt Sheppard would take the win over Stewart Friesen and Felix Roy. Preston Trautschold won the slingshot division feature.

 

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‘Where’d Our Stone Go?’ to be Cave House Program

HOWES CAVE — Cobleskill Author Dana Cudmore answers the question, “Where’d Our Stone Go?” on Aug. 10 at The Cave House Museum of Mining and Geology in Howes Cave. The free program begins at 2 p.m.

Limestone and cement processed from more than a dozen Schoharie County quarries helped build the engineering marvels of the early 19th Century in New York.  Cudmore’s program identifies the quarries and their customers, including NY’s canal system, bridges on NYC’s East River and numerous important public and private buildings meant to last many lifetimes.

Signed copies of Cudmore’s book on the topic, “Farming With Dynamite: The forgotten Stone Boom in Schoharie County” will be sold, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Cave House museum.

The Cave House, at 136 Blowing Rock Road, will be open that day from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the museum is also free. Donations are appreciated.

The following program in the museum’s summer series will be “Mid-Devonian Extinction Events in Eastern NY,” on Sept. 14 by Alexander Bartholomew, an associate professor of geology at SUNY New Paltz.

The Cave House, adjacent to the original entrance to Howe’s Cave, is where the remarkable story of the famous caverns, quarry, and community begins. The museum is a nonprofit, NYS-chartered educational institution that promotes a greater understanding of the importance that local and regional geology and mining plays in our lives.

 

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